Electrolytic cell.



C. W. MARSH.

BLECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.15, 1912.

1,075,364., Patented 001.1111913.

WJ l t i 9 s @pava/miv TF CTATEC FAENT CFFICE.

i CLARENCE w. MAnsH, or GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, assrcNon, BY NEsNn ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 HOOKER ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPO- RATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Application led January 1,5, 1912. Serial N o. 671,190.

ylytic Cells, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells of the diaphragm type, and especially to such as are adapted for the electrolysis of alkali-metal chlorids.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above type which is capable of eiicient operation at low voltages, and which possesses a high ampere capacity in proportion to the space required for its installation.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of one form .of cell embodying the invention, one-half thereof being shown in section on the broken line I-I of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, one-half thereof in section on the line II-II of Fig. 1; 4and Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a portionof the cell on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

In said drawings, 1 represents a substantially cylindrical vessel of earthenware or a cement `composition resistant to chlorin, and2 is a cover therefor in the form of an inverted annular trough dipping' below the normal liquid-level, luted tothe cell body 1, as indicated at 3, and provided with an upwardly-extending connection 4 for the delivery of chlorin.

5 is an annular disk, which may be of like 'material to the cell body l, and either integral therewith or set in a suitable cement 6.

The cathode 7 is preferably of steel, perforated throughout its. active area, and 1s applied at its upper margin 8 to the inner face of the depending flange of the cover 2, being reinforced at its margin by a metal ring 9 to which the cathode connector 10 is attached. The cathode plate is formed with a series of substantially radial, inwardly-v extending, vertically-disposed recesses 11,"'

which are` in openy communication with the outer or anode compartment 12, constituting radial extensions thereof. Between the recesses 12 arefco'rrelated pockets or recesses 13 constituting radial extensions of the 1n- -its upper and lower margins.

.from the cell as rapidly Patenten oct. ia, rara.

ner or cathode compartment 14. rIhe dia.- l

phragm 15, usually of asbestos paper or cloth or a combination'of these, overlies the perforated area of the flexed cathode plate on the side thereof adjacent the anodes, and may be cemented or clamped to the cathode or to the adjacent portions of the cell near rlhe upper and lower walls of the outwardly-extending pockets or recesses 13 of the cathode plate are protected and rendered inpervious and inactive in any suitable manner, preferably asl indicated in Fig. 3, by covering these portions of the plate with an insulating and inert plastic composition 16, interlocking with the plate through its perforations. For this purpose, I may use cement, an insoluble condensat-ion product-of phenols and formaldehyde, or a composition thereof, or the like.

The anodes 17, usually of Acheson-graphite, comprise bars or rods disposed in the radial extensions 11 of the anode compartment, and extending upwardly through the cover 2, being luted therein as indicated at 18. The anodes may also be supported from below, as by blocks 27. The several anodes are interconnected through a copper or aluminum ring 19 constituting the positive conductor, and electrically connected with the caps 20 of the individual anodes by straps or bars 2 1.

The electrolyte, usually a solution of sodium or potassium chlorid, is led to the anode compartment of the cell through a supply-pipe 22, with which is preferably aS- sociated any suitable device for maintaining a constant level of liquid in said compartment. In the form illustrated, this device comprises an external supply-vessel 23 having a supply-pipe 24 for the brine, and an overflow 25 at the desired level. Means may be provided for adjusting this overiow in order to control the hydrostatic pressure of liquid in the anode compartment, or a series of overflows may be provided at dilfering levels, as is well understood in the art. The

central or cathode compartment may be covered, as indicated at 28,` and the hydrogen evolved may be collected through the pipe 29. The caustic solution is permitted to flow as formed through pipe 26.

In operation, the solution undergoing electrolysis percolates through the diaphragm and cathode into the central compartment 14 110 -which may be illed with a mineral oil or other liquid immiscible with aqueous solutions, for purposes well understood in the art. In case the cell is operated at relatively low current density, it is desirable that the exposed portions should be well covered with a suitable heat-insulating material, in order that the best working temperatures may be maintained.

I claim:

l. An electrolytic cell comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm iexed or bent to provide recesses communicating with said anode compartment, and anodes disposed in said recesses.

2. An electrolytic cell comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, apervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide substantially radial recesses communicating with said anode compartment, and anodes disposed in said recesses.

3. An eleetrolytic cell comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, apervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm ieXed or bent to provide recesses communicating with said anode compartment, anodes disposed in said recesses,

vand means for maintaining a constant level of electrolyte in said anode compartment.

4. Anv electrolytic cell comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm exedl or bent to provide recesses extending radially outward and communicating with the cathode compartment, and anodes located in said anode compartment between the walls of said recesses.

`5. An electrolytic cell comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode com-k partment surrounding said cathode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments', said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide recesses in lateral and end communication with said anode compartment, and anodes disposed in said recesses. b

7. A cell for the electrolysis of alkali salt solutions, comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm having pockets extending into said anode compartment s and provided with imperforat-e upper and lower walls, and anodes disposed in the recesses between said pockets.

8. A cell for the electrolysis of alkali saltsolutions, comprising a central cathode compartment, an anode compartment surrounding said cathode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm having pockets extending 'intof said anode compartment and provided with inclined, imperforate upper and lower walls, and

anodes disposed in the recesses between said pockets.

In testimonywhereof I affix my signature.

in presence of two witnesses. Y CLARENCE W. MARSH.

Witnesses:

EDWARD Us'rnoM, Jr., JASPER M. ROWLAND.' 

